Circuit-interrupter.



F. FIX. CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER'. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 9. 1915.

I Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

. INVENT'OR WITNESSES 2 arren sra'rns PATENT orrrcn.

FRANK FIX, OF IRVJIN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGH OUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CIRCUIT-INTEBRUPTER.

Application filed October 9, 1915.

To aZZw/wm it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK FIX, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Irwin, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful. Improvement in Circuitdnterrupters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to circuit interrupter-s and it has special reference to the stationary switch members of such devices, and also to the method of constructing the same.

One object of my invention is to provide a device, of the above indicated class, that shall be cheap to construct and reliable in operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide an eiiicient and simple method of constructing a device of the above indicated character.

Heretofore, it has been customary to assemble a stationary contact member, a conducting rod anda terminal member to constitute a stationary switch member.

In order to simpli' y the construction and to obtain other advantages, hereinafter set forth, I form the stationary switchmember from a single piece of metal tubing.

The single figure of the accompanying drawing is a side view, partially in section and partially in elevation, of a circuit interrupter embodying my invention.

A circuit interrupter comprises a frame 1, a plurality of stationary switch members 2 and 3 supported thereby and insulated therefrom, and a suitable operating mechanism 4: for actuatinga movable bridging member 5 upon which is mounted a plurality of relatively movable main contact members 6 and 7 and auxiliary contact members 17 and 18.

The stationary switch members 2 and 3 severally comprise a tubular conducting member 8, an insulator 9 surrounding the same and a conical restraining member 10.

The tubular member 8 is flattened over a portion 11 of its length near one end to constitute a terminal member 12, and the other end is expanded to constitute a stationary contact member 13. The expanded portion is slitted to insure greater resiliency, to permit of accurate alinement with respect to the movable contact members 6 and 7 and to provide ducts for the passage of the in- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

serial No. 54,961

sulating fluid in which the device is immersed.

The restraining member 10 is disposed around the tubular member 8 for the purpose of limiting the'expansion of the stationary contact member 13. A bracket 14 is attached to the restraining member 10, and an auxiliary contact member 15 is movably mounted thereon. The auxiliary contact member 15 is biased toward its lowermost posltion by a spring 16 in, order to engage its respective movable auxiliary contact member before the main contact members are engaged.

An elongated opening 20 is provided in the flattened portion 11 of the tube 8, and, after the insulator 9 is placed around the tube 8, a bolt 21, having a block 22 disposed around each end thereof, is inserted therein. The blocks 22 are so beveled at the upper edges thereof that, when they are drawn together by the turning of a nut 23, the tube 8 is raised Within the insulator 9 and secured in position.

While it is desirable to flatten the portion 11 of the tube 8 before it is inserted in the insulator 9, it may be flattened, after the tube 8 is inserted in the insulator 9, by turning the nut 23.

It will be understood that various structural modifications may be effected in the device illustrated Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention set forth in the appended claims.

I claim my invention:

1. A switch member comprising a conducting tube having a flattened ortion intermediate its ends and an expan ed portion at one end.

2. A switch member comprising a conducting tube having a flattened portion intermediate its ends and relatively near one end and having a flared portion at the other end.

3. A switch member comprising a conducting tube having one end constituting a terminal member and the other end expanded to constitute a contact member.

4. A switch member comprising a conducting tube having one end constituting a terminal member and the other end expanded and slitted to constitute a resilient contact member. 5. A switch member comprising a restraining member and a conducting tube having one end expended inte the'i'esimein .ing member, the expanded portion thereof being slitted to constitute a contact member of limited resiliency.

(3. A switch member comprising a restraining member and a conducting tube having one end expanded and slitted, the

expanded and slitted portion thereof being incused in the restraining member to conetitute a contact member of limited resiliency.

subscribed my name this 23rd day of ESept.

in testin'iony whereof I have hei'eun'te 

